July 15th 1789
It was just like any other day. I woke up at 6:30 am, changed, and washed my face. After a small breakfast of leftover bread and a cup of milk, I went into the kitchen to prepare the Récipon family's morning meal. I barely finished cooking when Madame Récipon came running down the stairs. It was odd to see her up so early in the morning. I asked her if she needed something, but all she told me was to get ready to leave the house in five minutes. Truthfully, I was frightened. I never left the Récipon house unless I was off to the market to buy food, and I usually went on my own accord without Madame's instructions. However, I brushed off my worries and followed her orders. I got ready and met Madame Récipon in the garden, where she was waiting to give me my instructions. She told me to go to Bastille now and check the situation there. I could sense that something was wrong by the tense and nervous look in her eyes, but said nothing. I took off quickly to Bastille. On the way, I asked several people what was happening at the Bastille. They informed me that a group of revolutionary people had torn it down, leaving it in ruins. Also, I met my cousin Bastien Roux! Apparently he was heading in the same direction as me. We chatted a while and went our separate ways. When I finally arrived at Bastille, I was shocked by what I saw. The area was in a horrible state and nothing like the Bastille I remembered from a few years ago. More information later, though - I'm off to bed. It's been a long day. - Madeleine de Loré
Journal #2
January 21st 1793
The Récipons told me last night that I was to accompany them to watch the execution of King Louis XVI. It made me feel uneasy to think that I was going to watch the king of France being killed, but I had no choice. Whatever my employers say, I must do. They allowed me to wake up a bit later than usual today, at 8:30 am. Wearing a plain dress and a patched cloak, I followed the four Récipons into their carriage. As a maid, I was required to sit up in the front with Victor, the driver. The ride to Place de la Révolution was long and cold, but I believe it was worth it. The square was full of people when we arrived at 9:30 am, but we managed to secure a spot near the guillotine. I was freezing in my thin wrap, but tried not to show it. Looking around, I saw many familiar faces from the market, but one in particular stuck out. It was Renaud Durand, my best friend's husband! Despite our age difference, we are friendly with each other due to my friendship with his wife. I wanted to talk to him, so I quietly went to Monsieur Récipon and asked if I could be excused for a few minutes. He nodded and waved me away. That is how I ended up watching the execution of King Louis XVI with Renaurd. We were both very glad the king was being executed, for we felt that he had done nothing at all for the welfare of France. Of course, I'm sure he tried sometimes, but his attempts were very weak and did not have any lasting effects. I have to admit that I was very queasy when I saw the guillotine cut through his throat, but I managed to keep my breakfast down. Anyways, I can see that we are almost at home - I've been writing all this on the way back to the Récipon residence, you see. This was a rather interesting day. Good bye! - Madeleine de Loré
Journal #3
August 23rd 1793
I left early in the morning to visit Henri Cartier's. The kitchen had been running low on food, so I decided it was time to go shopping for some groceries. It was hard, walking all the way to his tiny stand in F'de Chatillen, but it's my job, isn't it? When I arrived, I was quite confused to see Henri packing away some of his crops into boxes and putting them away. I asked him what he was doing, and he said that he was going to close down his farming business temporarily to attend a lycée. Of course, I didn't know what that was, so I asked Henri. He told me that it was a government-run public school that accepted males of all backgrounds. They students would study, and those with merits could be moved to public office. I remember hearing Madame Récipon and Monsieur Récipon discussing those a while ago. I think they said it was one of Napoleon Bonaparte's ideas. Apparently, Victor, the driver, was leaving us to go to a lycée as well. I wish that females could have an opportunity like this. I would love to go to school. I hope this revolution produces some sort of positive effect for peasants because life is simply unbearable sometimes. I have to work every day of the week and yet I get paid a meager amount for it. The last saw my parents and siblings was three years ago, and the only thing that motivates me to continue my job is simply to feed my family and keep them alive and well. Yes, the Récipons are very generous, but I wish I could take a break sometimes. The past few years have certainly been interesting enough, but I wonder occasionally whether or not this will all be worth it in the end. Oh well - only time will tell. - Madeleine de Loré
Name: Madeleine de Loré.
Age: 18 years old.
Gender: Female.
Occupation: Maid.
Social Class:3rd estate.
Financial situation: Barely enough money to pay the monthly bills; has to work 7 days a week to earn enough money for food and necessities.
Appearance: Curly brown hair and dark green eyes. Average height. She looks young for her age.
Location:Marais, Paris Habitual locations: Employer family's home (the Récipon family)
Daily routine: Wake up at 6:30 to eat breakfast and wash up. At about 8:00 am, she begins cooking breakfast for the Récipon family. After that, she goes to do her chores (such as doing the laundry, cleaning up the house, etc.) Usually sleeps at 12:30 am, when she finishes writing in her journal.
Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits: Meek and easily bossed around. She doesn't talk much and does whatever her employers tell her to do.
Past/individual-family history: Her family has always been poor and all work constantly. Left her home at the age of 15 and has worked at her current employer's house ever since.
Family: Father (Christophe de Loré), mother (Jeanne de Loré), little brother (Claude de Loré), little sister (Jacqueline de Loré). Does not live with them, however, because of her job.
Social relations with your own and other classes: Doesn't have many friends due to her constant working status, but is friendly with a few of the other maids in the house.
Religion: Catholic.
Education: Elementary school education completed.
Languages you speak: French.
Main privileges and/or hardships: Not enough money to buy food and necessities; can't afford to waste time at school. She wants to complete her education, but her job prevents her from attending school. However, her employers are kinder than most others and allow her some free time in which she can practice her reading and writing.
Journal #1
July 15th 1789It was just like any other day. I woke up at 6:30 am, changed, and washed my face. After a small breakfast of leftover bread and a cup of milk, I went into the kitchen to prepare the Récipon family's morning meal. I barely finished cooking when Madame Récipon came running down the stairs. It was odd to see her up so early in the morning. I asked her if she needed something, but all she told me was to get ready to leave the house in five minutes. Truthfully, I was frightened. I never left the Récipon house unless I was off to the market to buy food, and I usually went on my own accord without Madame's instructions. However, I brushed off my worries and followed her orders. I got ready and met Madame Récipon in the garden, where she was waiting to give me my instructions. She told me to go to Bastille now and check the situation there. I could sense that something was wrong by the tense and nervous look in her eyes, but said nothing. I took off quickly to Bastille. On the way, I asked several people what was happening at the Bastille. They informed me that a group of revolutionary people had torn it down, leaving it in ruins. Also, I met my cousin Bastien Roux! Apparently he was heading in the same direction as me. We chatted a while and went our separate ways. When I finally arrived at Bastille, I was shocked by what I saw. The area was in a horrible state and nothing like the Bastille I remembered from a few years ago. More information later, though - I'm off to bed. It's been a long day.
- Madeleine de Loré
Journal #2
January 21st 1793The Récipons told me last night that I was to accompany them to watch the execution of King Louis XVI. It made me feel uneasy to think that I was going to watch the king of France being killed, but I had no choice. Whatever my employers say, I must do. They allowed me to wake up a bit later than usual today, at 8:30 am. Wearing a plain dress and a patched cloak, I followed the four Récipons into their carriage. As a maid, I was required to sit up in the front with Victor, the driver. The ride to Place de la Révolution was long and cold, but I believe it was worth it. The square was full of people when we arrived at 9:30 am, but we managed to secure a spot near the guillotine. I was freezing in my thin wrap, but tried not to show it. Looking around, I saw many familiar faces from the market, but one in particular stuck out. It was Renaud Durand, my best friend's husband! Despite our age difference, we are friendly with each other due to my friendship with his wife. I wanted to talk to him, so I quietly went to Monsieur Récipon and asked if I could be excused for a few minutes. He nodded and waved me away. That is how I ended up watching the execution of King Louis XVI with Renaurd. We were both very glad the king was being executed, for we felt that he had done nothing at all for the welfare of France. Of course, I'm sure he tried sometimes, but his attempts were very weak and did not have any lasting effects. I have to admit that I was very queasy when I saw the guillotine cut through his throat, but I managed to keep my breakfast down. Anyways, I can see that we are almost at home - I've been writing all this on the way back to the Récipon residence, you see. This was a rather interesting day. Good bye!
- Madeleine de Loré
Journal #3
August 23rd 1793I left early in the morning to visit Henri Cartier's. The kitchen had been running low on food, so I decided it was time to go shopping for some groceries. It was hard, walking all the way to his tiny stand in F'de Chatillen, but it's my job, isn't it? When I arrived, I was quite confused to see Henri packing away some of his crops into boxes and putting them away. I asked him what he was doing, and he said that he was going to close down his farming business temporarily to attend a lycée. Of course, I didn't know what that was, so I asked Henri. He told me that it was a government-run public school that accepted males of all backgrounds. They students would study, and those with merits could be moved to public office. I remember hearing Madame Récipon and Monsieur Récipon discussing those a while ago. I think they said it was one of Napoleon Bonaparte's ideas. Apparently, Victor, the driver, was leaving us to go to a lycée as well. I wish that females could have an opportunity like this. I would love to go to school. I hope this revolution produces some sort of positive effect for peasants because life is simply unbearable sometimes. I have to work every day of the week and yet I get paid a meager amount for it. The last saw my parents and siblings was three years ago, and the only thing that motivates me to continue my job is simply to feed my family and keep them alive and well. Yes, the Récipons are very generous, but I wish I could take a break sometimes. The past few years have certainly been interesting enough, but I wonder occasionally whether or not this will all be worth it in the end. Oh well - only time will tell.
- Madeleine de Loré
Name: Madeleine de Loré.
Age: 18 years old.
Gender: Female.
Occupation: Maid.
Social Class: 3rd estate.
Financial situation: Barely enough money to pay the monthly bills; has to work 7 days a week to earn enough money for food and necessities.
Appearance: Curly brown hair and dark green eyes. Average height. She looks young for her age.
Location: Marais, Paris
Habitual locations: Employer family's home (the Récipon family)
Daily routine: Wake up at 6:30 to eat breakfast and wash up. At about 8:00 am, she begins cooking breakfast for the Récipon family. After that, she goes to do her chores (such as doing the laundry, cleaning up the house, etc.) Usually sleeps at 12:30 am, when she finishes writing in her journal.
Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits: Meek and easily bossed around. She doesn't talk much and does whatever her employers tell her to do.
Past/individual-family history: Her family has always been poor and all work constantly. Left her home at the age of 15 and has worked at her current employer's house ever since.
Family: Father (Christophe de Loré), mother (Jeanne de Loré), little brother (Claude de Loré), little sister (Jacqueline de Loré). Does not live with them, however, because of her job.
Social relations with your own and other classes: Doesn't have many friends due to her constant working status, but is friendly with a few of the other maids in the house.
Religion: Catholic.
Education: Elementary school education completed.
Languages you speak: French.
Main privileges and/or hardships: Not enough money to buy food and necessities; can't afford to waste time at school. She wants to complete her education, but her job prevents her from attending school. However, her employers are kinder than most others and allow her some free time in which she can practice her reading and writing.
Portrait: (find one online and paste it in)